Zambia national team head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic has named a strong 30 member provisional squad for the upcoming COSAFA Cup.
Micho has included eight foreign-based players including goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene, midfielder Salulani Phiri and Amazulu forward Augustine Mulenga.
Mweene who won the 2012 Africa Cup makes a return to the Chipolopolo set up since October 2018 and will be in a familiar environment at Port Elizabeth, being South Africa based, where he has won multiple awards for Sundowns.
Micho has also roped in U-20 national team star forward Jimmy ‘Zobrigo’ Mukeya who has been in top form for NAPSA Stars netting eight league goals. This is Mukeya’s first call-up for the senior national team.
Zambia will begin its title defense at the 20th edition of the COSAFA Cup in Port Elizabeth on July 7, 2021, against Comoros with a clash against Madagascar three days later. The final group B match will be against Malawi on July 13.
Full Squad:
GOALKEEPERS
Kennedy Mweene (Mamelodi Sundowns – RSA), Gregory Sanjase (Young Green Eagles), Cyril Chibwe (Polokwane City – RSA), Lameck Siame (Kabwe Warriors)
DEFENDERS
Roderick Kabwe (Black Leopards), Isaac Shamujompa, Roderick Kembo (Buildcon), Simon Silwimba, Adrian Chama (Zesco United), Dominic Chanda (Kabwe Warriors), Kabaso Chongo (TP Mazembe), Prosper Chiluya, Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Zachariah Chilongoshi (Power Dynamos)
MIDFIELDERS
Spencer Sautu, Benson Sakala (both Power Dynamos), Felix Bulaya, Paul Katema (both Red Arrows), Salulani Phiri (Polokwane City – RSA), Collins Sikombe (Lusaka Dynamos), Prince Mumba (Kabwe Warriors), Augustine Mulenga (Amazulu-RSA), Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba (Zesco United), Jimmy Mukeya (Napsa Stars)
STRIKERS
Moses Phiri, Rodger Kola (both Zanaco), Gamphani Lungu, Supersport United-RSA), Brian Mwila (Buildcon), Justin Shonga (Cape Town City-RSA), (Friday Samu – Green Buffaloes)
The team gives hope especially that the tournament will be used as a preparatory stage for the world cup qualifiers.
Better l liked this team selection. But why has he dumped that boy mahembe. He was supose to play this tournament.
The inclusion of kola in this team is highly questionable. He failed to score even a single goal In four friendly matches. This micho is not serious.
this Micho is not serious how can he call Kabaso and leave out Thandi and Solomon Sakala
Honestly CCC, is needed here, as the combination of those strikers leaves much to be desired
This Micho chap appears confused! Why drop defensive players he took on tour of west africa! Would appear the selection is always jumbled with this gentleman.
He needs to make a large pool where to select from not always who you want naiwe
Roger Kola I agree with @Tony Mash has not offered much to the team as a striker. How many times has he been given opportunities to play for the national team. Let others try also.
Happy to see K.Mweene back in the team, he will add needed experience to the team.
K will dive on a rocky pitch. Too big.
The problem the coach is not consistent. He keeps on changing players.
We need more experienced players like Fashion, Mwepu and Daka.
I think the coach has demons in his head. CCC is a sure bet for the midfield, but I dont understand how he can omit this boy
Micho,can you kindly get back to your senses.Zambia national team is not a laboratory were u go for experiments..Stop tasting our patience.This is tax payers money. Micho behave
But coach micho how can u call that young chap from young green eagles for what
Let’s wait and see what he’s up to,
Give the guy a break
Bamu Kolwe nga bafula tabu cha bwangu
Some of you guys I can see you have no understanding of the game. You just comment. CCC and his Simba team are busy in the League. COSAFA is not official FIFA calendar tournament. Clubs wont just release their players. Augustine M, K.Mweene, R.Kabwe etc are all on off season.
T.Mwape is a key player at TP Mazembe. K.Choongo is not as key as Tamdi hence the club can release him.
The Coach wont call Tandi, CCC, and all the other stars of the team for COSAFA. Let the Coach do his job.
You fools condemning selection of players you need to apply for a job if you have nothing to say just keep quiet